Why Did You Start W/ Pampered Chef?

[chef_leeanne]

I broke my hip when I was 19. The bone died so it couldn't heal. Because of other health issues it could not be replaced, I had to wait. I always knew that when He was ready it would happen. After 23 yrs of waiting, my leg gradually turning out into a 2:30 position, only a 10% right rotation left, and 1 inch shorter on that side, my day came! I got my new hip!

I have always loved to cook and have been using PC products for years. I attended a party that a neighbor held. The consultant would ask the question "Does anyone have this item? How do you use it?" It got to be a joke. My hand was raised for most of the show because I owned so many items. After the show she asked why I was not a consultant. She went on to explain that I already knew how to use the products and had taught her quite a lot. That I had helped her sell products by speaking to her guests about the various uses. I had in essense just held my own show.

Hummmm... I thought. This had NEVER been an option in my "pre-hip" days. The idea of giving back - teaching others, made me feel really good inside. It felt right. The thought of speaking to a bunch of strangers gave me pause, but what the heck. It's not like I hadn't faced challenges before. I could make this work!

I have been a consultant for 2 years now and have been blessed and rewarded in so many ways. I have made so many new friends. But what I find most rewarding is when after a show, the guest will say "I learned so much tonight! I can't wait to try it out!" OR the out-of-know-where phone call from a guest saying "I'm having so much fun using my stuff!" I know I made the right decision by joining the PC family!

Every show is a joy! I can't imagine not being a consultant.

Lee Anne

 

[ihavethetools]

Love this ThreadI did Pampered Chef when my sons were little (4 and 6) through their elementary and middle school age years. I homeschooled them then, and PC was a great way for me to do something for me and make money. Those two boys are now 21 and 23 and both Air Force men.

Life moved on and I quit. Just lost the fire.
Then it started creeping in to my life again. And one day two years ago, my husband and I (he's an Owner Operator truck driver) were picking up a load in Addison, IL. And low and behold there was Home Office....RIGHT on the corner next to our customer. Ahh, brought back such feelings and memories. I hadn't seen the 'new' home office. Had been to the old one and conference and all though.

Finally last summer the bug just got me and I HAD to call an old friend from the cluster I was in before, and told her I wanted to restart.

Whew! All the products we have now! And I'm so glad to see that they are still Pampered Chef quality.

I need and have to have flexibility now. I want to get my business in a momentum that will allow me to make money and be able to travel the highways across the country and Canada for weeks at a time with my husband. So there's nothing better, honestly than Pampered Chef to do this with. I love using my creative side, and love meeting people and hope to share this opportunity with others so they can have this flexibility AND income as well.

We also need to pay off some bills, because we have to go to Hawaii next year and see our youngest son and his wife. He's stationed at Hickam, AFB

Kris

 

[jwpamp]

Kris,

Congrats on returning! God works in wonderful ways, doesn't He? Like putting that Home Office right on the corner by that customer...and making sure that you went with your husband that day...

I wish you the best! If you haven't been to Hawaii, you will LOVE it! We go every other year for at least 2 weeks at a time. We stay on Oahu, so let me know if you would like some great ideas for things to do (I would highly reccomend the NaHokuII catamaran on Waikiki...tell Johnny we said "hi!". And Turtle Bay is awesome, too...the flea market at the Aloha Bowl musn't be missed (bring extra luggage for that!).

Good luck!

 

[DebbieSAChef]

I started PC because..I love to cook and bake!! I love PC products and wanted to earn them free, or discounted. Plus the commission check is nice also, as well as all the incentives PC gives for high sales or having shows!!
My husband is very supportive with anything that I really want to do. I love to bake cakes, cookies, etc and wish to sell them as my own personal business along with PC.
I homeschool our two oldest children, plus we have a two year old daughter and a 7 month old baby boy. I might be pregnant also. Will know for sure at the end of this month.
This is a fun way for me to get away and have fun. Cooking and baking for others while telling everyone about the wonderful products I love and really believe in.
I just decided to do it one day at a show. I didn't even really know the consultant but I knew the hostess really well. Now she is one of my best hosts!! This is so much fun! I love getting my folders together, my flyers, my tools, and games!! I really have fun with it and my husband is happy for me. He really encourages me and it makes all the difference in the world!!
Debbie

 

[gilliandanielle]

I wanted to kit! I had just moved into a new house and my sister asked if I would hold her first show. It was back in the day where shows could be 5 orders or $150. I figured that worst case scenario I could buy 30 cake testers and split it into 6 shows of 5 orders. I never had to though because I started with a bang and got my SS stuff. I fell into a funk at the end of my pregnancy and once I had my son. I was inactive for 4 months. Then, I found Chef Success and now I haven't been inactive once, and am always bringing in income, no matter how small.

 

[pcjeanie]

I'm an almost empty nester with two children ages 17 and 21 and a husband who works most Saturdays. Even though I work full-time, I wanted something fun to do and also to earn the free products. Also, it's great to get out and meet new people. I just love to cook, talk and sell!

Jeanie Gay

 

[lacychef]

Hey, I'm glad someone bumped up this thread! It's interesting to hear everyone's stories.
For me, to start out with it was just to do something different. I grew up in the restaurant business (my parents have a cafe), waitressing etc...and was looking for something DIFFERENT. I went to a friend's show, and fell in love with all the products, then had a show of my own. I swear I kept thinking 'what's the catch?' It all sounded too good to be true. So I signed up for the unique factor, and to get all the products. I remember my director saying 'don't worry you'll have all the products before long!' I was excited...
Now, 4yrs later I still love it for those reasons. Plus, now that I have 2 kids I love knowing that I won't miss out on any of their activities. I can volunteer at the school, etc. Also, I always used to be timid in front of people, & doing this has pretty much cured that! I was going to school to become a teacher, & now I feel like I am teaching people, all the while overcoming my shyness & having a BLAST at the same time!
This truly is the best job I've ever had I started out as a hobbyist doing 1-2 shows a month, and now that I've realized the potential I'm doing 6-8 shows a month.
WHAT AN AWESOME COMPANY!!!

 

[ihavethetools]

Thanks Janice
I will certainly ask for your tour guideness.
Since our son and his wife live there and are military, they really don't do the sightseeing thing much (expensive). But they love to go to the beach, and I think they have talked about Waikaiki (however you spell it).

He'll be there for three years and is in has been there only 9 months so far.

Kris

 

[ltkacz]

I started becauseI needed a second job to bring additional income into the house. We were in an almost financial disaster. With my full-time-day-time career, it was hard to find a second job that wouldn't look at my application and say "what the heck is this person looking for a second job for?". My husband wasn't having any luck getting a side job either. So, I thought where can I find a job that will work around my day-time career. My husband and I love the product, so I thought, what the heck. What am I going to be out - 6 shows?

Now, 9 months later, I will never give up this "gig". It's awesome. Where else can you earn $200 for a 4-5 hour gig (legally or without being obscene)? And, the tax refund that you get is worth it's weight in gold!!! Our tax refund this year literally got my husband and I out of the sea of debt we were drowning in. Couple all of this with the support that you receive - I cannot say enough wonderful things about PC!!

 

[susans_kitchen]

Why? My husband and I run our own business from home, but it's really his, not matter how you want to look at it. I just wanted something that was mine, and closter to the field my degree is in, Hotel and Restaurant Management. With my first big commission check, I intend to get a 2 hour massage and not feel a darn bit guilty.

 

[[email protected]]

I started:

*so I could stay at home full-time to raise & school our kids (just one at the moment [16 month old son] but trying for another)
*to supplement my husband's income so we could make budget without me having to work outside the home, and have some extra money for dates together
*because I love to cook (went to college for it) and miss the industry -- this is a breath of the same passion without the stress & being away from my family that working outside the home in a commercial kitchen.

I'm continuing to perserve, no matter what obstacles get in my way because:
*of all the reasons above
*I want to give my husband a real honeymoon -- to the Bahamas!

pchefinski- I also have a degree in cooking and left to have a 8-5 job, but always found myself missing it. I love that I'm back in to cooking. My favorite line to use at shows is, "I wanted gourmet products and I didn't want to pay gourmet prices!"

 

[PaulaReb]

I wanted to sell PC because I LOVE their products. I had only been to two shows and hosted my first before I decided to become a consultant. Mostly because I wanted everything in the catalog too....LOL My youngest will be starting kindergarten in September and I always said I would get a job once she did. But I can't see myself working 9-5....PC was the answer. I love what I do (even when it's stressful) The income doesn't hurt either. I love knowing that I can finally start contributing towards the bills.

 

[pchefinski]

I started:

*so I could stay at home full-time to raise & school our kids (just one at the moment [16 month old son] but trying for another)
*to supplement my husband's income so we could make budget without me having to work outside the home, and have some extra money for dates together
*because I love to cook (went to college for it) and miss the industry -- this is a breath of the same passion without the stress & being away from my family that working outside the home in a commercial kitchen.

I'm continuing to perserve, no matter what obstacles get in my way because:
*of all the reasons above
*I want to give my husband a real honeymoon -- to the Bahamas!

Okay I'm editing this: I may not be able to give my husband a honeymoon to the Bahamas, but my PC business has allowed me to be there for my family during MANY hardships.. I can up and drive 5 hours to be with them without having to deal with a boss .. I think my hubby is jealous, b/c he hates dealing with the red tape of getting time off if he needs it for some reason.

BTW, it's really GOOD to go back and refresh the basics of why you started with PC. I wrote them down and taped it to the inside of my PC binder so I can refocus time and again if I need to. Stay true to why you started, and add to it! Those reasons & continued realizations of how much PC does for you & your family will help in recruiting.

 

[ihavethetools]

Very true Amanda.
I want to add to yours living in a city named "Prosperity" did you have a choice?

But also I was just thinking....I wish I was doing a show tonight because it's evenings like this when the smells and the people and the sales of PC are just wonderful. It's rainy out, have a nice breeze. Almost feels like fall.

Gotta get booking!

Kris

 

[apriljc]

I love PC products and wanted them all. I work 4 days a week as a receptionist at an eye doctors so I deal with all ages of people and all moods. I wanted something more and that is why I joined. I am married to a man who works FT and is always doing other odd jobs for people. I have two boys ages 5 & 3 who I love dearly but sometimes you just need to get away and have grown up time. This gives me the opportunity to do it all. I have met a lot of happy people. I also like the extra money that I get to spend on whatever I want.

 

[apriljc]

My first experience with the PC was in January when i went to a friends show. I fell in love with the products. I hosted my own show in March and I signed up in April. I have loved it so far. My husband and two boys, ages 5 & 3, keep me busy but I find that PC is a stress reliever for me. I get to do something for myself. I just hope that I can continue to be with the PC, I am having a hard time finding people who wants to host shows etc.

 

[Chefweezie]

I don't know where to start. I attended my first PC show 20 years ago. The consultants were a husband and wife team and I still have the stone I bought. I was hooked them, but they didn't offer the opportunity to me, so I never thought of selling it. Fast forward 12 years, one of my cousins became a consultant and I did at least one show for her per year for the next six years, all the while she was trying to recruit me. I was interested, but I guess I was scared to make the leap. Keep in mind all this time I'm working at least one more than full time job plus part time and side jobs. Finally, when I found out that I was having twins I decided that I was staying home with them when they were born and when they were a year old I decided to sign up. Things have been slow to start (I signed up last August) and I still have a time getting bookings, but I am determined to make enough money to continue to stay home with my girls and help my husband get rid of one or two of his part time jobs with my PC income.
I keep my favorite picture of my girls on my computer and in my PC binder for when I lose focus.

 

[pamperedwendy]

My husband was a over-the-road truck driver and I went with him all the time. Then I got pregnant. I couldn't go anymore and I wanted him to be home everynight, too. So I had to earn an income but I didn't want a "real job" because I've always wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom. To be honest I have succeeded in making much of an income. Mostly because I have a hard time getting bookings, we live in a small town and there are several other consultants in the area. A lot I hear "Oh, I love Pampered Chef. I need to call _______ to book a show!" And I'm not as outgoing as I'd like to be. I have a hard time finding the words to talk people, even friends, into doing shows!
But I love the product and anything I earn or get discounted is so wonderful and is the reason I've stuck with it.

 

[pckimboyers]

I have loved reading all your stories! I've said it before and I'll say it again-- I need this site to stay motivated and not give up. I went to my first PC show in March. I had heard of it, but had never seen any of the products. I loved everything, but unfortunately my checking account didn't. I decided, why go to these parties and spend money when I could go and make money? I had been trying to figure out a way to earn some extra income, we had used our credit card for the previous christmas and was having a hard time paying that off (I'm sure someone else could relate) I tried e-bay, and thought about other ds business's, but there wasn't anything else that I really liked enough to want to sell. I was scared, I'm shy and never thought I could speak much less cook in front of a group of people,but I pushed myself and now I'm liking it. I'm still learning to be confident, still working hard to get those bookings, but I know if I keep at it and not give up I'll get there. My goal right now is to do 4 a month plus a couple of catalogs.... but I'd really like to get up there with the big dogs. It's so exciting to hear about walking at conference. I want that to be me some day! I just have to keep at it! I love getting stuff for free and the more I get the more I love it! I'm still working on that little bit of credit card debt--but I'll go beyond that, I know I will.

 

[Hilary]

I started TPC because I was offered the opportunity by my director. I went to a friend's party in January with a list of a couple of small things, but of course I soon realized I "needed" most everything she demonstrated. She mentioned the opportunity and I remember thinking "I would never have a job that required me to work in the evening". By the end of the evening I realized I couldn't afford to buy even half of the products I wanted so I marked that I "might be interested in hosting a show". During host coaching she told me I would do a great job at this. I was flattered by the offer but told her I had no interest. But out of curiousity I asked questions about the kit and earning potential and what was required. She told me it would only take 4 shows and I would probably get 4 bookings just from my show. I told her I would only consider it if 4 people booked from my show. As fate would have it 4 people booked at my show and I signed a few days later. I was originally only going to stay in for my super start months, get all the free stuff I could get, then get out. I ended up with 2 recruits in my first couple months and went to National Conference. At this point I am working toward becoming a director. I guess I am in for a while.

 

[pamperedbecky]

As fate would have it 4 people booked at my show and I signed a few days later. I was originally only going to stay in for my super start months, get all the free stuff I could get, then get out. I ended up with 2 recruits in my first couple months and went to National Conference. At this point I am working toward becoming a director. I guess I am in for a while.

That's awesome Hilary!! I've heard that story lots where people only thought they'd do the four shows then quit. But then they find it is a lot easier than they anticipated. And it's FUN!! Good for you for planning to promote to director!! I was the same way....I had NO intention of ever recruiting and now I've got a team of about 17 people!!!

Good luck to you!

 

[whiteyteresa]

It is my daughter.

My reason for PC is listed under the photo section of this website.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

I joined for extra money to continue sending my children to a small private Catholic school after losing my job of 15 years (originally planned on retiring at 55!). I also signed up when they offered all of the cranberry stoneware as a bonus. I received every piece and LOVE it! That was the kicker that made me sign right away. It's been a lot more work then I thought it would be, but I love it!

 

[ChefinHarmony]

Glad to see this is still active - I loved reading everyone's story. I joined because I wanted new Pots & Pans! I purchased an expensive SS brand and HATED them - so did my Hubby. Anyway, I said "I know I can get some good ones from PC" I've been a regular host for about 6 years from different areas, different consultants, etc. There was a Mom in my MOPS group who sold it, so I contacted her to Host a show. But then I realized it would still cost me over $200 right before Christmas to get what I wanted. So I told her (before my show) that I wanted to SELL it - I planned to save my money until I could buy it all at the 40% off deal. My recruiter was actually scared because she had be doing it for over 4 years, but never wanted to recruit! Hello??? I tease her about that all the time - she is just a "casual" consultant. Anyway, I hosted a show in the beginning of November (cheated and had my family hold off from placing BIG orders) and then did my Mom's (without even my Starter Kit) a few weeks later. It is still my largest show. Cookware update - while I was saving for my discount Month, PC came out with the Executive and our incentive to earn it!! I am so glad the timing happened like that - if I would have purchased the Professional set and then seen the Executive a few months later, I would have been steaming!! Anyway, I earned the 8" skillet (ss bonus), 5 piece set and bought the 1.5 quart from the supply. I'm HAPPY!!
Joanne

 

[ChefinHarmony]

Oh, I forgot to add - Hubby won't let me quit now! He's been enjoying the paychecks (actually started budgeting the in our income) - we both love them. But I like that - it gives me a push to keep going!!! So, I'm not stopping!
Joanne

 

[tashayoung]

My husband and I are going through a divorce and he kept the house...so I started The Pampered Chef for three reasons.
1. Need to restock kitchen tools and I want the best.
2. Want to make some extra money.
3. I hate to cook and don't really know how. So what better way to learn than this. Now my daughter (4 years old) and I cook together which is great bonding time AND she'll know how to cook when she's older.

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I became a consutlant becasue I wanted to supplament my income by two hundred dollars. Well I got more than I bargin for... I supplamented my income and then some, I went to confernce and I learned SOOOO Much. My business has completely paid for it's self three times... which is very cool!!! It gives me more time with my five year old and my husband!!!


Leah Hudson
Indpendant Consultant
[email protected]


I will be a director by July 1,2007 and walk at confernce !!!!!!

 

[maryhenderlite]

I didn't like PC before I went to my best friend's show. IMO the items were too expensive and I didn't "need" them. Well then I went to my first show... I wanted the apron, and EVERY product that my recuiter showed!! We booked my kickoff show. My intention was to do my 6 shows (old super starter program) and I was going to quit, I wanted to get all those products (and the apron) and I was done!! Well here we are, 3 years later, very addicted and can't get enough of it. I haven't been a full time consultant, hobbiest is more like it.. But LOVE it! We are in the process of buying a new home, suppossed to close next week!! We are moving back home where we grew up, and my realtor was so excited about it. (she loves PC). She said there are NO consultants in the area.. I am really looking forward to it and starting up new. I just wanted to share my story, I just love being able to have the support system this site offers, such a HUGE help!! Hope everyone is trying to stay cool during this heat wave!

 

[shano]

I love hearing how we all got into PC